Taste of the Andes at Polleria in Zhongzheng District

Toward the southeastern end of Guling Street–past the Guling Street Avant-garde Theatre–in Taipei’s Zhongzheng District is a simple eatery that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. Polleria (秘魯烤雞) is the only restaurant in Taipei that specializes in one Peruvian dish–pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken).

Polleria, which celebrated its second year in Taiwan in November, has a rotisserie oven that cooks 48 chickens per hour, with eat chicken marinating in Peruvian spices for two days. It is all prepared by Chef Leon from Peru.

With its proximity to Guling Street Avante-garde Theatre as well as the National Theater and Concert Hall, it’s a great place to catch a pre-show dinner.

The menu at Polleria is simple–patrons only have four options unless they order days in advance ranging from NT$299 to NT$399. Everything on the menu is pollo a la brasa with a variety of sides that include cilantro rice, salad, and fries. All sets come with a small dish of the restaurant’s special mildly spicy sauce to dip the chicken in (you can order more). They occasionally have seasonal specials for customers to try as well.

The restaurant offers a sampling of Peru’s popular drinks, including Inca Kola and chicha morada–a sweet drink made from purple corn that the restaurant serves for NT$150. There are also more common beverages available.

Chicken a la brasa with salad, cilantro rice, and Polleria’s special Peruvian sauce